Everyday adventures of a Baptist minister

August 2018 - Page 2

There's only one podcast I listen to regularly. I've occasionally tried others but not really found anything that 'does it' for me. Maybe I need to listen to more talk radio or audiobooks to get me into the right 'groove'. Who knows.

Anyway.

The August SmallVOICE podcast is available now - click HERE for the link. It is a 'mini' version focusing on one item, a review of Vicky Beeching's autobiography 'Undivided'. The review is handled with the trademark honesty, integrity, generosity and nuance of the SmallVOICE Team and is well worth a listen. Some weeks back I shared some of my own thoughts on the book and its reception here and here

I know that as a minister, and as a person, I sometimes disappoint and let down those I know who are LGTBQI+. I admit that both fear and concern for my own long-term security (I like having a job, a pension scheme and the hope of retirement housing) are effective means of keeping me quiet, perhaps beyond my commitment to accept the disicpline of the Baptist Unions that accredit me (and are gate-keepers for the above).

At the moment I am in a very self-reflective phase of life. My over-devleoped sense of responsibilty, and my ability to self-flagelate really don't help much. That said, I have always been of the view that if you get it wrong you admit it and say sorry. To anyone reading this who believes I have failed you or let you down because of your sexuality, I am sorry. I can't promise that I'll ever be all you would hope for, but I hope that my commitment to learn and grow is worth something.

To round off our summer, we had a Songs of Praise style service (excellent choices by the way) to be followed by a picnic. A slightly daft idea on my part - it always rains for the 'English' August Bank Holiday weekend.

However, around thirty of us simply set up a long table, piled it high with food, and shared a tasty lunch together.

As we reach the end of the summer, it was lovely to be together worshiping God and being community. It felt like a 'good' morning - and hopefully we raised lots of money for Glasgow City Mission in our special collection.

Later this autumn we are planning to have a short series of services on the theme of 'shame'. It's an important topic, and the concept of 'chronic shame', which seems to be cropping up a lot in the reading I'm doing, definitely needs some thinking through.

I have a stack of books - and one audio book - on their way to me relating to this topic, so hopefully by the time we reach November and these services I will be well prepared.

I'm not sure 'enjoy' is a word I'd use in connection with this reading - some of it cuts quite close to the bone - but it's certainly important and relevant, which matters more, I think.